When to Change Brake Pads

Your brakes are an integral part of your vehicle. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to drive—and that’s why it’s important to keep an eye on them and their many parts, especially the brake pads. The brake pads are responsible for doing the actual stopping, so you need to be conscious of keeping them in good working condition.

Drivers in Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton may be wondering when to change their brake pads. We at Nissan 24 are here to help with this guide to brake pads. Below, you’ll find more information about how often you should replace your brake pads, signs that they’re wearing down, and more!

How Often Should You Replace Your Brake Pads

It’s recommended by most manufacturers to have your brake pads replaced every 12,000 miles or once a year. However, there are many different factors that can mess with this timeline. If you don’t have the right brake pads for your vehicle, this could cause them to wear down much faster.

Additionally, if you spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic, this could also wear down on your brake pads at a faster rate. This is because you’re using the brakes more frequently than what would be considered normal.

Signs That You Need to Replace Your Brake Pads

Luckily, the brake pads are one of the easiest parts to determine fault in. There are a variety of signs that will let you know when it’s time to replace your brake pads. Some of the most common signs you may encounter are listed below:

You hear strange sounds when you’re braking, such as squealing or grinding. Often, this noise will get louder the harder you brake.

The steering wheel is vibrating when you brake. Like the noises, the steering wheel will vibrate more violently when the brakes are applied.

Your brake pedal is spongy. This means that you have to press significantly harder on the brake pedal to stop.

The brake pads look thin. You can check on them yourself at home any time you want to check on them. If they appear to be thinner than ¼ of an inch, you’ll need to have them replaced.

There’s less brake dust than normal. Every time you use your brakes, dust is created from the brake pad being shaved down. When there’s less dust, that means there’s less of the pad to be worn off and they need to be replaced.

Need Your Brake Pads Changed?

If any combination of these signs sound familiar to you, it’s probably time to have your brake pads changed. You can replace your brake pads at home but it’s always best to have a professional technician have a look just to be sure.

Thankfully, we at Nissan 24 have a convenient on-site service center that’s staffed with a whole team of expertly trained technicians who are ready and happy to have a look and even change your brake pads for you. Drivers in Brockton, Randolph, and Stoughton should give us a call today to schedule a service appointment!